Foot (incl. plantar fasciitis, flat feet) decisions — 2013

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus does not meet the criteria for a compensable rating under VA disability evaluation guidelines.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claim of service connection for bilateral flat feet, finding that his preexisting condition was aggravated by service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's right foot and psychiatric disabilities did not have their onset during service or are otherwise related to her active duty. As such, service connection for these conditions is denied.

The Board found that the Veteran's current bilateral foot disability is not etiologically related to active military service.,The preponderance of evidence shows that the Veteran's hypertension did not occur in or is otherwise related to active military service.

The appeal has been withdrawn by the appellant through his authorized representative before a decision was made.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for GERD, bilateral pes planus, and lumbar spine degenerative disc disease were denied. The Veteran was granted a 10 percent rating for bilateral pes planus from August 3, 2009.

The Veteran's appeal is remanded to the RO for a VA examination and additional medical records, as his service-connected pes planus of the right foot with sesamoiditis has not been evaluated in over six years.

The Veteran's service records do not show any diagnosis of sleep apnea, vertigo, chronic fatigue syndrome, pes planus, bilateral leg varicose veins, or residuals of traumatic brain injury. The Veteran has been diagnosed with insomnia and hemorrhoids since separation from service.

The Board has remanded the claims for additional development, including obtaining private medical records and scheduling a VA examination. The Veteran's claims are still pending.

The Board denied the Veteran's service connection claims for burn scars on both legs and bilateral pes planus, finding that there was no evidence showing they were aggravated beyond their normal progression during service. The RO also declined to reopen his TDIU claim.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's bilateral pes planus and right ankle degenerative joint disease are related to his service, granting service connection for these conditions.

The Veteran's claims for increased ratings for his right ankle, hip, and foot disabilities were denied as the evidence did not show that any of these conditions warranted a higher rating.

The Veteran's service-connected bilateral pes planus was found to be no more than moderate in degree prior to March 23, 2009 and no higher than 10 percent thereafter. The Board denied the claim for an initial compensable rating prior to March 23, 2009 and a rating in excess of 10 percent from that date.

The Board has granted service connection for a variety of musculoskeletal and respiratory conditions, including shortness of breath, shoulder disorder, elbow pain, knee disorders, ankle disorders, and neck disorder. The Veteran's claims are supported by his reported symptoms in service and subsequent diagnoses.

The Veteran's service-connected pes planus has been found to be severe enough to prevent him from securing or maintaining substantially gainful employment, even though his disability rating is already at the maximum schedular level.

The Veteran's appeal has been withdrawn by his representative, and therefore the case is dismissed.

The Board found that the Veteran's right foot disorders, including Achilles tendonitis and pes planus, were not incurred or aggravated by service. The Board also denied an initial rating in excess of 10 percent for left ulnar neuropathy.

The Board denied an initial evaluation in excess of 20 percent for gout, finding that the Veteran's symptoms do not meet the criteria for a higher rating based on his current disability level.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's tinnitus and bilateral foot disability are related to service, with the exception of pes cavus at separation from service. The claim for service connection is granted.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for bilateral pes planus and plantar fasciitis was denied. The appeal is also pending for an increased rating for tinnitus.